Israel Has No Longer Difficulties in Securing Arms, Eshkol Reveals

July 8, 1966

JERUSALEM (Jul. 7)

Prime Minister Levi Eshkol reported with satisfaction today that Israel no longer had any difficulties in getting from western countries arms for its defense. Speaking at graduation ceremonies at the National Defense College, the Premier nevertheless voiced the hope that the “day will come when East and West will get together to promote disarmament in the Middle East.”

At the same time Israel’s Foreign Minister was reported today as indicating Israel’s opposition to a United Nations plan to reduce the U.N. Truce Supervision Organization forces in Sinai and Gaza Strip border areas. Conferring for more than an hour with Dr. Ralph Bunche, U.N. Political Undersecretary who arrived yesterday in Jerusalem from a visit to Arab countries, Mr. Eban was reported as making it clear that Israel opposes any reduction in U.N. forces which it feels has ensured peace on those borders.

It was also reported that Mr. Eban cited also the fact that Arab refugees recruited into the Palestine Liberation Organization army continue to live in camps of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and receive UNRWA rations. The Israel Foreign Minister also reportedly raised the long-standing issue of Jordan’s refusal to admit Israeli Jews to Jewish Holy Places now in Jordan’s jurisdiction. Mr. Bunche conferred yesterday for 40 minutes with Premier Levi Eshkol in what was described as a general review. Mr. Bunche was accompanied at both meetings by UNTSO Chief of Staff Gen. Odd Bull.